Vicky Hamilton (musician)

Vicky Hamilton (died 1971) was an American jazz singer-songwriter-composer. She worked with American jazz pianist, singer-composer, Dave MacKay whom she was also married to. In the late-1960s Mackay and Vicky Hamilton formed a duo and produced three recordings together. Hamilton died in 1971.

Discography

 * Dave Mackay with Vicky Hamilton, Hands (Andy Simpkins, Joey Baron, Ira Schulman, Chuck Domanico, Joe Porcaro, Ray Neapolitan, Discovery, 1983, Recorded in 1969 & 1983)
 * Dave Mackay & Vicky Hamilton, Rainbows (Joe Pass, Ira Schulman, Chuck Domanico, Colin Bailey, Impulse, 1970)
 * Dave Mackay & Vicky Hamilton, Self Titled (Ira Schulman, Ray Neapolitan, Joe Porcaro, Francisco Aguabella, Impulse, 1969)

Reception
New York Times critic Rex Reed wrote in 1969 of their self-titled album: "Vicky Hamilton is a vocalist of profound musical intelligence, wit and sensitivity who seems years ahead of her time. Together [with Dave Mackay] they have written most of the superb material in this album and sing it in an awesomely impressive jazz style. ... There are only two cuts here in a conventional time pattern; most are in odd time changes that flip from 5 to 7, with intervals that can only be described as microtonal. One number, written and sung within an inch of its life by Miss Hamilton, is called "Elephant Song". It took [their record producer] six hours .. to transcribe it. But that should not concern the listener, only the beauty and brilliance of the end result. ... "Elephant Song", which reminded me of the kind of whimsical lyrics Dory Previn writes, has the rich ebullience of a child's first trip to the circus." Reed also considered, "There isn't one band on this disk that could be considered less than perfect. ... Their up tunes are filled with joy and sass, and their ballads are lush and hypnotic. .... Miss Hamilton sings like a dream".

Other reviewers were also positive. One said, "a very good blending of voices ... always [] gentle, never too loud. ... a very tasteful album - quite surprising in fact." Another also commented, "The mellow voices of Dave and Vicky blend beautifully with the jazz sounds for some unusual effects", while a third found them "fresh and stimulting [sic] in the tradition of Jackie and Roy ... experts at injecting unusual meters into their approach, giving their original compositions an off-beat style."